Liz has been a councillor for over 20 years and began training and mentoring other councillors in leadership skills 10 years ago. She works with the Local Government Association and Local Government Information Unit, as well as other organisations in the public sector.
As an accredited peer for the LGA she has worked with numerous councils on peer reviews and one to one with leading councillors as a mentor and coach. She has been facilitating their flagship Leadership Academy programme for 4 years, training councillors cross party in leadership skills. She also vice-chairs the LGA Improvement and Innovation board, previously being deputy-chair of the Children and Young People’s board.
At Kingston Council Liz has held most positions including Council Leader and Leader of the Opposition, so is experienced in all aspects of councillor and campaigning roles. Equality and equity are important to Liz. She was Kingston’s first-ever female Council Leader, and went on to lead a majority women administration with good LGBT+, disabled, young, carer and BAME representation.
Liz is passionate about local government as it not only delivers the services most residents use day to day but also is the front line for services for vulnerable people and plays a key role, with partners, in shaping a ‘place’. To make local government services the best needs equality of opportunity to become councillors and then continuous learning to make quality decisions and work effectively with a wide range of partners. Liz uses her experience to bring to life the theory of leadership management and community engagement in the political setting of councils.
